The kids and I were having a bad afternoon. I’m sure any stay-at-home mom will understand what I am talking about. We had enjoyed a nice homeschooling session in the morning, but all the good behavior Hadassah and Clayton had exhibited in the schoolroom seemed to evaporate after lunch. They were cranky, tired and didn’t seem to be able to play together without fighting. It was hot and humid, and we were all sweating. I needed a break—badly. Neil had left on his motorcycle at three o’clock to find some medicine for a few sick chickens, but now it was getting close to five o’clock. Wondering where he was, I contemplated calling him and begging him to come back.

However, another thought popped into my head, prompted, I believe, by the Holy Spirit: What if Neil is involved in a redemptive conversation, and my phone call interrupts it? Deciding not to call, I began praying for Neil instead. After I prayed, things got better with Hadassah and Clay, and we were able to greet Neil happily when he came rolling in after 5:30 p.m.

Later, after the kids were in bed, Neil and I talked about the day. I discovered that at the same time things were going terribly at our house, Neil had been involved in a great conversation with one of his friends about the differences and similarities between Seventh-day Adventists and Muslims. Best of all, it was Neil’s friend who brought up the topic! I was very glad the Holy Spirit had prompted me to pray for Neil instead of calling him home.

Truly, we are involved in a spiritual battle here, and our enemy doesn’t want people to learn the good news of the Gospel. We need your prayers every day! Please remember to pray for our family and for the Malinke people we are here to serve.

• Twitter